#SocialInnovation: Just how Innovative is Northern Ireland?

Well, probably not as bad you might have feared. But then again, we’re probably not as good as you might have hoped.

This chart looks at European regions in terms of their capacity to generate innovate. It’s NOT about social innovation per se, but I wondered if it give us clues as to the cultural preparedness of NI to innovate?

London and SE England is a Medium Leader. But NOTE, only Germany, Sweden Switzerland, Austria and Finland are in the High Leadership category (from reading the map that is).

In Ireland, Leinster/Munster is High Follower table. Scotland is a Moderate Follower. Northern Ireland is categorised as Moderate.

In other words, Irish industry in the south is a whole category higher than that of Northern Ireland. The report from which is this is taken is here: http://goo.gl/q6g8j

Fascinating map – and show at face value a high correlation between innovation and economic health. No surprises there. But should worry us that despite lots of great science graduates, NI is the weakest region in the British Isles for innovation. Brain drain to the mainland partly to blame? But is there also something about the business environment in NI that means new ideas are not encouraged – is there a culture of conservatism, a lack of ambition? I’m asking the question, I don’t know. I’m writing from the (darkish blue) South East region. I work a bit on innovation projects but it tends to be for international consumer good companies that are usually based in the South East.